A Master Guitar Craftsman Passes

A master at work: Phil Petillo in his Ocean Township shop/Photo by Tom Spader

You may not have known Phillip Petillo’s name, but if you are a music fan, you should know something about about him.

Since the late 1960s, Ocean Township resident Petillo, who passed away suddenly Saturday at age 64, was a master luthier, a craftsman who manufactured, repaired and designed stringed instruments.

In Petillo’s case, his speciality was guitars of the finest quality, and his long-time clients included Bruce Springsteen. Back around 1970, Petillo sold him — for about $185 — the 1953 Fender Esquire that The Boss would make famous, according to a 2009 Asbury Park Press story on Petillo. To see that guitar, check out the now-iconic cover of Springsteen’s Born to Run album.

His business was always a family affair. His wife, Lucille, and son, David, also worked with him at the shop, Petillo Masterpiece Guitars.

Petillo did restoration work on instruments for the Smithsonian Institute and also received 30 patents in fields ranging from music to medicine to alternative energy.

He graduated from Columbia University with a degree in Industrial Engineering and received his doctorate in Engineering Technology from LaSalle University. As his obituary states, Petillo was truly worthy of the title “Renaissance man.”

Comments

About Jean Mikle

Jean Mikle has worked at the Asbury Park Press for more than 20 years, most recently as an investigative reporter on the Projects Team. In her "other life," she’s a fan and proponent of the Asbury Park music scene, both then (Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, Southside Johnny Lyon) and now (Wave Gathering, The Stone Pony, The Saint) and all sorts of new music.

I just learned this via Facebook (a Springsteen thread). I’ve known of Phil not only for his incredible work but an old friend of mine from Wannamassa is cousin to his wife and so we’d known about Bruce long before he hit the big time, via Phil’s work.

I have been a frequent visitor to the Petillo workshop over the past 3 years. I only regret that I did not know Phil and David sooner. They have done superb work on my guitars, and they have treated me as a friend. I am fortunate to have a Petillo archtop guitar that Phil built about 25 years ago. I will always treasure this guitar, and my visits and conversations with Phil.

Phil has been a friend since I was a kid walking into his studio in the late 70’s. No one brought as much joy to others as he did. I was most amazed on how humble a man Phil was. I am blessed to own a Petillo gem and I will treasure all my memories of Phil. My heart is saddened, but blessed to have been able to meet such a man and be able to say I was a real friend. We are fortunate David is such a prodigy and will carry on not only his Father’s work but his leagacy.
My sincere condolences to the Petillo Family, the music and medical families.

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Where the music plays all the time

About the Author

Alex BieseAn Asbury Park Press staff writer since 2005, Alex Biese is a proud member of the local music community, both as a journalist and a musician. Along with his work for the Press, he has written for outlets including MTV.com and Film Festival today magazine.E-mail Alex

Jean MikleJean Mikle has worked at the Asbury Park Press for more than 20 years, most recently as an investigative reporter on the Projects Team. In her "other life," she’s a fan and proponent of the Asbury Park music scene, both then (Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, Southside Johnny Lyon) and now (Wave Gathering, The Stone Pony, The Saint) and all sorts of new music.E-mail Jean